U.S. patent number 4,232,930 [Application Number 05/901,420] was granted by the patent office on 1980-11-11 for battery plug and receptacle for use in mines.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Pyott-Boone Machinery Corp.. Invention is credited to John J. Teti.
United States Patent |
4,232,930 |
Teti |
November 11, 1980 |
Battery plug and receptacle for use in mines
Abstract
A battery plug and receptacle each of which is formed from
individual cartridges for each member. The cartridges are molded in
a section of a circle. When installed enough cartridges are
utilized to form a full circle. A keeper is provided for containing
the cartridges within the housing. Lead screws which hold the line
conductors in place are put in the side of the cartridges so that
when the plugs are assembled the retainers cannot back out. A
polarity adapter is provided on the male plug section which also
acts as the keeper for the various cartridges. Three relatively
large connectors are provided for positive battery terminal,
negative battery terminal and ground. Two smaller connectors are
provided for fault detection and control. The male plug control
prong can be made slightly smaller than the other male prongs so
that the control circuit is broken first when the plug is
disconnected. This construction can be used to drop out relays and
prevent the power circuit from being broken at the plug. The
assembled male and female plugs are retained within metal housing
sections. The female portion of the plugs are constructed for
attachment to a battery operated electric vehicle. A screw on cap
is provided for sealing the female receptacle when it is not
connected to the male plug. The male plug is connected to the
female receptacle for charging the batteries or for providing power
to operate the electric vehicle. By forming each connector from
individual cartridges if one is damaged it can be replaced without
discarding the entire male plug or female receptacle.
Inventors: |
Teti; John J. (Saltville,
VA) |
Assignee: |
Pyott-Boone Machinery Corp.
(Saltville, VA)
|
Family
ID: |
25414144 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/901,420 |
Filed: |
May 1, 1978 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/680; 439/172;
439/679; 439/687; 439/696; 439/901 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R
13/502 (20130101); H01R 13/502 (20130101); H01R
13/64 (20130101); Y10S 439/901 (20130101); H01R
13/64 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01R
13/502 (20060101); H01R 13/64 (20060101); H01R
013/64 () |
Field of
Search: |
;339/113R,113B,113L,196,184,186,196M,186M |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: McGlynn; Joseph H.
Assistant Examiner: Brown; John S.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Yeager; Robert D.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A connector assembly comprising mating receptacle and plug
members, each comprising:
a metal housing having a cylindrical opening formed therein;
a plurality of cartridges disposed to fit within the cylindrical
opening in said metal housing each cartridge having in cross
section, an outer portion which defines a portion of a circle and
said cartridges having inner portions which together form a
selected geometrical opening when said cartridges are disposed
within said housing;
each cartridge including at most one electrical connection means
which forms part of only one of the electrical connections
completed by the connector assembly;
an insulating keeper member disposed to hold said cartridges in
place; and,
said insulating keeper of said plug member comprising a polarity
prong which projects through said geometric opening.
2. A plug assembly adapted to connect with a mating receptacle
assembly for making electrical connections, said plug assembly
comprising:
a metallic housing having a cylindrical opening formed therein;
a plurality of cartridges disposed within the cylindrical opening
in said metallic housing;
each cartridge having a front end, a rear end, two sides which are
adapted to be in close proximity to adjacent cartridges, an outer
side and an inner side;
the outer sides of said cartridges defining a circle, and the inner
sides defining an opening of a selected shape;
a lip formed around the inside of the cylindrical opening for
engaging a portion of the inner end of said cartridges;
a keeper constructed to fit within the cylindrical opening in
proximity to the rear ends of said cartridges to maintain said
cartridges in place; and,
said keeper comprising an insulating polarity prong having the same
shape as the shape defined by the inner sides of said cartridges
and extending therethrough.
3. A plug as claimed in claim 2 comprising:
metallic conducting inserts disposed within each cartridge for
making one electrical connection; and,
a retainer extending into each metallic insert through the side of
the insulating cartridge to hold an electrical lead in place.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to electrical connectors and more
particularly to a connector which is assembled from a plurality of
cartridges.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Federal and state laws regulate the type of battery plug and
receptacle which is acceptable for underground coal mine vehicles.
Federal laws presently require only two contacts, positive and
negative, between the battery and the underground machine. Some
state laws such as Pennsylvania, however require a minimum of four
contacts, positive, negative, frame ground, and fault detection
between the battery and the underground machine. In prior art plugs
and receptacles the contacts have been molded a single piece.
Anderson Power Products, 145 Newton Street, Boston, Mass. 02135
produces a battery connector which is exemplary of this prior art.
The metal housing for the disclosed plug and receptacle are similar
to housings which are presently in use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A battery plug and receptacle assembly is disclosed which is
particularly suitable for use on underground coal mine vehicles.
The plug and receptacle are each formed from a plurality of molded
cartridges one for each electrical line connection. The cross
section of each cartridge defines a part of a circle or a portion
of an annulus. The cartridges are assembled in a circular metal
housing to form the plug or receptacle. If one of the electrical
connections is not desired, a blank cartridge is utilized in its
place. Both the plug and receptacle contacts are retained in
position in the respective metal housing by an insulating retainer
which is secured to the housing by appropriate fasteners. Openings
are provided in the retainer to accommodate the electric cables
connected to the plug or receptacle.
A projection is provided on the plug retainer which extends beyond
the male contact prongs and provides for proper polarity alignment
between the plug and receptacle. The metal housing of the plug
includes an internally threaded ring or lock nut which engages an
externally threaded portion on the female receptacle. The plug lock
nut pulls the plug and receptacle housing sections securely
together and ensures a complete engagement of the male and female
portions of the plug and receptacle.
Each cartridge includes a retaining screw formed in the side of the
cartridge for holding the connector leads in place. Each cartridge
is constructed to accommodate a single cable. The single cable
passes through an opening in the insulating retainer and is held in
the conducting portion of the associated cartridge by the retaining
screw. When the plug and receptacle are assembled the retaining
screws are backed up against the insulating portions of adjacent
cartridges and cannot be removed or backed out.
The disclosed connector also reduces the mine operators costs since
unlike prior art receptacles and plugs, which were constructed by
encapsulating all the contacts within the housing, individual
cartridges can be replaced when necessary. Presently, arc damage
usually results in the replacement of the entire plug or receptacle
assembly. For the disclosed plug and receptacle replacement costs
should be materially reduced, since with this construction only the
damaged components need be replaced.
In the preferred embodiment a line connection is provided to take
control power directly from the battery. The male prong for the
control circuit is made shorter to break contact before the other
terminals are interrupted, thereby cutting control power and
dropping out any energized contacter before power is otherwise
removed from the machine. This insures against burns to the hands
sometimes associated with the disconnection of the plug from the
receptacle when power has been left on the machine. With the
disclosed connector the charging electrical power is broken, as
intended, in the charging contactor, or in the case of a machine in
the motor contractors.
If one of the contacts is not required the male and female
conductors are left out of the epoxy mold and this becomes a blank
insert. In the case of a MESA approved assembly only the positive
and negative battery connections will be required in the connector
and the frame ground, fault and control cartridges can be left
blank. The position of the individual positive and negative
cartridges will always remain the same regardless of the number of
other electrical connections actually used so the polarity of the
two connector halves is always maintained by the polarity
keeper.
For various reasons, such as being sold or being required in a new
location, mine vehicles are frequently transported into a different
state. The disclosed plug and receptacle can be easily made to
conform to the different state's laws by changing the
cartridges.
It is an object of this invention to teach a plug and receptacle
for use in the battery charging or heating circuit of an
underground mine vehicle wherein individual cartridges are utilized
for making each portion of the electrical contact of the plug and
receptacle.
It is a further object of this invention to teach a plug and
receptacle formed of individual cartridges, for each circuit
connection, which can be replaced without discarding the rest of
the plug and receptacle assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had
to the preferred embodiment exemplary of the invention shown in the
accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a view partially in section of the plug and receptacle
engaged;
FIG. 2 is a view partially in section of the plug;
FIG. 3 is a view in FIG. 2 along the line III--III;
FIG. 4 is a side view of a negative or ground cartridge for the
plug;
FIG. 5 is a side view of a positive cartridge for the the plug;
FIG. 6 is a side view of a fault cartridge for the plug;
FIG. 7 is a side view of a control cartridge for the plug;
FIG. 8 is a front view of a cartridge keeper for the plug, which
includes a polarity prong;
FIG. 9 is a front view of the receptacle shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 10 is a side view of a positive cartridge used in the
receptacle shown in FIG. 9; and,
FIG. 11 is a front view of the cartridge keeper utilized in the
receptacle shown in FIG. 9.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings and FIG. 1 in particular there is
shown connector 10 consisting of a plug 12 and a receptacle 14
constructed in accordance with the teaching of the present
invention. Connector assembly 10 consists of the male plug portion
12 which is adapted to engage the female receptacle portion 14 to
complete an electrical connection therethrough. The connector 10 is
intended for forming part of an electrical connection between a
battery pack and a battery charger or a mine vehicle. The battery
pack is used for driving underground coal mine vehicles. Receptacle
14 is mounted to the side of a battery case 16. During use plug 12
and receptacle 14 are engaged. Then a contactor (not shown) is
energized connecting a battery charger or tram motor to the vehicle
battery pack. A duplicate of the male plug 12 is used on the
machine as well as in the battery charger. The battery pack is
connected to either the charger or the mine vehicle.
Plug 12 is formed with an outer metal housing 18. Receptacle 14 is
formed with an outer metal housing 20. A lock nut 22 is disposed on
male plug 12 and engages a threaded portion 24 on female receptacle
14. During use plug 12 and receptacle 14 are connected together and
then lock nut 22 is tightened to engage threaded portion 24 and
securely pull together and lock plug 12 into receptacle 14.
Receptacle 14 includes a circular flange 26 which is connected by
appropriate means to the battery case 16. A lock lug 28 extends
outward from a portion of flange 26. An opening 30 is provided for
a fastener or tumbler lock to prevent separation of the plug and
receptacle by unauthorized persons. Threaded end portions 32 and 34
are provided on plug 12 and receptacle 14 respectively for
receiving a hose connection when desired. The hose connection which
is gas tight can be used between the receptacle and the battery
terminals in the battery case and between the battery charging plug
and battery charger contactor enclosure. The contactor enclosure
contains the contactor which when energized completes the main
power electrical circuit between the charger or machine and the
batteries.
Referring now to FIGS. 2 through 8 there is shown a more detailed
view of plug 12. Plug 12 is formed from a plurality of cartridges,
one being required for each electrical connection which is
completed by connector assembly 10. For the embodiment shown male
plug 12 completes five electrical connections. The cartridges are
formed from a molded epoxy material having an embedded metallic
member which has good electrical conductivity properties. If for
some reason a particular electrical connection is not desired, the
cartridge is molded without the metallic conducting member and used
as a blank which is inserted during assembly. The negative
cartridge 44, shown in FIG. 4, and the ground cartridge 45, have
the same general shape. A positive cartridge 42, shown in FIG. 5,
is also provided. Positive cartridge 42 and negative cartridge 44
are used to form part of the electrical circuit between the
positive and negative battery terminals and the battery charger,
tractor, or other machine. The ground terminal 45 is used for a
ground connection. The size of the electrically conducting members
embedded in the cartridges may vary depending on the current
carrying capacity desired. The control cartridge 46 is provided for
taking control power from the battery and the fault cartridge 48 is
provided for use in fault detection.
A polarity and keeper member 50 is provided for holding the
cartridges 42, 44, 45, 46 and 48 within metal housing 18. A lip 19
is provided around the inside of housing 18. When keeper 50 is
installed the cartridges are held between keeper 50 and lip 19.
Keeper 50 includes a polarity prong 51 which extends beyond the
other prongs of plug 12 to ensure proper alignment when plug 12
mates with receptacle 14. Polarity plug and keeper 50 is formed
from a molded epoxy material.
The electrical conducting member which is formed in the cartridge
is usually made of copper. Electrical conducting members 47, 49
include openings 59, 53 at one end for receiving electrical
conductors which are part of the circuit being completed by
connection 10. Threaded retainer openings are provided into the
side of openings 59 and 53. These threaded openings receive
retainers 54 which are tightened when a cable is installed to
securely engage the cable. The openings for retainers 54 are on the
side of the epoxy cartridges so that when the semicircular
cartridges are assembled and held in place, retainer 54 cannot back
out. When connector 10 is assembled the retainer 54 is positioned
up against adjacent insulating epoxy cartridges.
The length of the prong for control cartridge 48 is made shorter
than the prongs for cartridges 42, 44, and 45 to ensure that
control power is broken before the other circuits are interrupted
at the plug. Interrupting control power first drops out any
energized contactors in the control circuit before power is removed
from the machine. This ensures against burns to the hands sometimes
associated with the disconnection of the plug 12 from the
receptacle 14 when power has been left on to the machine. These
prongs which form part of conducting members 47 and 49 and the
polarity prong 51 are beveled on their free ends to facilitate easy
mating with their female counterparts.
Insulating keeper 50 is held in place by three fillister head
screws 58. Keeper 50 includes individual openings for each
conductor which extends into each cartridge.
Referring now to FIGS. 9 through 11 there is shown a portion of the
female receptacle 14. Like the male plug 12 the receptacle 14 is
formed from cartridges which are molded in sections of a circle
which permits multiple sections to be assembled in the same housing
20. Each electrical connection to be completed is in an individual
cartridge. Receptacle cartridges 142, 144, 145, 146 and 148 are
constructed to mate with plug cartridges 42, 44, 45, 46 and 48
respectively. When the cartridges of receptacle 14 are assembled in
place they define an opening 151 which is shaped to receive
polarity prong 51 of plug 12, when plug 12 is properly oriented.
The receptacle cartridges include conducting metal inserts 147 and
149 which have openings therein to receive the prongs from plug 12.
The encapsulated ends of these inserts include an opening for
receiving an electrical cable which forms part of the circuit
completed by connector 10. A threaded opening for receiving a
retaining screw 154 is formed into the side portion of the metal
insert 147, 149 which receives the electrical cable. The retaining
screw 154 which is used for holding the electrical conductor in
place is formed in the side of the molded epoxy cartridge 142, 144,
145, 146 or 148. With the cartridges 142, 144, 145, 146 and 148 in
place, this retainer 154 butts up against an adjacent molded
cartridge and cannot back out. A lip 21 is provided within metallic
housing 20. This forms a front stop for the receptacle cartridges
when they are installed. A rear retainer 150 pushes all the
cartridges forward into engagement with lip 21 and securely holds
them in place. Receptacle retainer 150 is held in place by three
fillister head screws 153. Receptacle retainer 150 is formed from
an insulating epoxy material. Receptacle retainer 150 includes a
plurality of openings formed therein, one for each conductor of the
electrical connection completed by connector 10.
For both the plug 12 and receptacle 14 the cartridges are molded
slightly under size relative to the body 18 or 20 to permit some
movement or floating. Slight undersizing of the cartridges negates
the necessity for close manufacturing tolerance. The contacting
ends of the plug 12 and receptacle 14 are beveled so that mating of
the two is insured. The size of the connector, both male and
female, may vary depending on the desired current carrying
capacity. The preferred embodiment illustrated is for a 250 amp
assembly for the positive and negative connections to the
batteries. If any connection is not required, the male and female
metal inserts are left ouf of the epoxy molds used for forming the
cartridge. Without the metal inserts a blank cartridge is formed.
In the case of a MESA approved assembly only positive and negative
connections are required and the frame ground, fault contact, and
control contact can, if desired, be left blank. The position of the
individual contacts remains relatively the same regardless of the
number of electrical connections used so that the polarity of the
plug and receptacle can be maintained by the keeper prong 51. The
disclosed construction reduces the mine operators cost since,
unlike previous plugs and receptacles which were formed by
encapsuling all the contacts within the housing, individual
cartridges can be replaced. In presently used connectors arc damage
usually results in the replacement of the entire plug and
receptacle assembly. Replacement costs should be materially reduced
with the cartridge construction since only the damaged components
need be replaced.
* * * * *